Mentha pulegium, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 184

2. M. pulegium L. , Sp. Pl. 577 (1753)

( Pulegium vulgare Miller ).

Subglabrous to tomentose perennial 10-40 cm, with pungent scent; stems procumbent to ascending. Leaves 8-30 x 4-12 mm, narrowly elliptical, attenuate at base, rarely suborbicular, shortly petiolate, entire or with up to 6 teeth on each side, hairy at least beneath. Bracts like the leaves, but usually smaller. Calyx (2-)2-5-3 mm; teeth ciliate, the lower subulate, the upper shorter and wider. Corolla (4-)4-5-6 mm, lilac. Stamens exserted or included; fertile anthers 0-4 mm. Nutlets 0-75 mm, pale brown. 2« = 20. S., W. & C. Europe, northwards to Ireland and C. Poland, and extending to W. & S. Ukraine. All except Da Fa Fe Is No Rs (N, B, C, E) Sb Su. Very variable in habit, leaf-shape and indumentum; several varieties have been described.